Have not really studied VAT, but seems like it might help domestic industry and hurt importing countries. For one example, domestic corporations have to pay things like healthcare. If we took that out of corporations, they would be more competitive And would it flatten the cost advantage that importers have in other areas??? Yes or no???
I think he was closer to fascist. Under socialism, the state owns the means of production. Under fascism, the means of production is privately owned but controlled by the state. Yes, the difference is paper thin to me. But, it seems that under Obama we're getting a lot closer to the direct ownership model (car companies, anyone?) vs. the "control banks via TARP and regulatory threat" of the Bush administration.
It's doable, no shots fired even... get the VAT in place and stop paying the income tax... the tax base is so narrow nowadays, some very small percentage of people pay half of the tax.. get them to just passively revolt by stopping paying and stalling for as long as they can. This debt ridden government will have to capitulate way sooner than anybody would expect...
Is there any difference between: Democrats: Up front high taxes, stronger currency. Republicans: Hidden inflation tax through money supply growth, weaker currency. If titrated to the same level, answer is no. Personally, I prefer the republican approach as it is a bit subtler and since only a 10th of the population catches onto it, allows for some profit opportunities. But really no difference.
I've been hoping they'd move to a 20-30% flat tax plus a VAT and eliminate the socialist garbage the dems and repubs have been forcing on us for awhile. Maybe running these massive deficits will finally open some eyes as these tards in washington realize the fallout from this debt is going to be felt BEFORE these aholes die off. I'd also like to see a provision that forces the gov to balance the budget or either raise the flat tax the following year in order to make up the shortfall. Its amazing how much socialist crap will start to get cut when the lower and middle class have to finally start paying for this governemnt waste.
The VAT and Flat Tax are hugely inferior to the FAIRTAX. There is no comparison. Take the time to read about it and you'll see. Either go to Fairtax.org or go to your library and get this book: http://www.amazon.com/Fair-Tax-Book...=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243472380&sr=1-4 After your done with that, read this one: http://www.amazon.com/FairTax-Answe...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243472380&sr=1-1
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/05/national-sales-tax-vat-gets-fresh-look.html A VAT's Bottom Line What would it cost? Emanuel argues in his book that a 10 percent VAT would pay for every American not entitled to Medicare or Medicaid to enroll in a health plan with no deductibles and minimal copayments. In his 2008 book, "100 Million Unnecessary Returns," Yale law professor Michael J. Graetz estimates that a VAT of 10 to 14 percent would raise enough money to exempt families earning less than $100,000 -- about 90 percent of households -- from the income tax and would lower rates for everyone else. (The above would be "Obama possible") And in a paper published last month in the Virginia Tax Review, Burman suggests that a 25 percent VAT could do it all: Pay for health-care reform, balance the federal budget and exempt millions of families from the income tax while slashing the top rate to 25 percent. A gallon of milk would jump from $3.69 to $4.61, and a $5,000 bathroom renovation would suddenly cost $6,250, but the nation's debt would stabilize and everybody could see a doctor. (25% is too much)
"You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence. You cannot help people permanently by doing for the masses, what they could and should do for themselves." Abraham Lincoln
You'd think that, with Obama's self proclaimed love of that man that he'd have read and learned that.